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nearly a third of the whole. Considering what a hold Berlin’s Arabic broadcasts
used to have here, and the wide reclame acquired by the notorious Yunis Bahri,
this spontaneous interest in the B.B.C. seems to me to be an eloquent proof of the
value of the London Arabic programme and the authority it now commands.
25. The Amir Talal, eldest son of the Amir of Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan , visited Bagdad
in October and November and the usual dinners and receptions were given in his
honour. He appeared to have a great liking for military life and duties, and
spent much time with the detachment of the Arab Legion which is stationed in
Bagdad. I have learnt from other sources that the detachment’s commanding
officer is much pleased at the friendliness with which he has been treated by
British officers here.
26. At last a dean has been found for the Law College, Dr. Abdul Hakim
al Rifai from Egypt. I hope this will put an end to the regrettable state of
indiscipline in which the college has for so long been sunk.
27. Daud al Haidari, the Iraqi Minister in London, returned, together with
his two step-daughters, to Bagdad on the 6 th November. He intends to have
a long rest; but it is not yet known whether he will resume his post in London
or not. His Excellency and the two girls are loud in their admiration of the
British people’s war effort.
28. The reaction of Iraq to the news of Lord Moyne’s assassination was
one of horror at this dastardly act, coupled with a certain amount of satisfaction
that the Zionists had made such a gigantic blunder. Mr. Churchill’s comments
on this crime caused considerable pleasure here.
29. An interesting British memorial has recently been restored in Basra.
It is, in fact, the earliest extant commemoration of the British connexion with
this country. In 1836 Chesney’s famous expedition started down the Euphrates,
but a hurricane overtook them above Anah and one of the two ships, the Tigris,
capsized. Twenty of the crew were drowned. The members of the council at
Bombay erected a handsome memorial tablet with an inscription in English and
Arabic describing the disaster and recording the names of all those who took
part in the expedition. For many years past the tablet has lain neglected and
forgotten in a disused cemetery. Recently, with the assistance of the Royal
Engineers and the Iraqi Government Departijient of Antiquities, it has been
re-erected at the foot of the staircase of the British Consulate-General in Basra,
and the drinking fountain which it was originally designed to include has at last
been added.
30. There have been two sets of Iraqi army manoeuvres in the period, the
first in the north, when the Regent was present in camp for several days, and the
other in the Muntafiq area and the Western Desert. General Renton appears
to be satisfied with the efforts of the more junior officers and the men, but has
been drastic in recommending the dismissal of inefficient commanders. The new
Chief of the General Staff, General Salih Saib, should prove an energetic director
of the army’s work.
31. I am sending copies of this despach to the Minister Resident, Middle
East; to the Political Intelligence Centre, Middle East; and to the Government
of Indpa.; also to His Majesty’s High Commissioner, Jerusalem.
I have, &c.
KINAHAN CORNWALLIS.